Austin et al.
Determining How New Jersey Fish Populations Are Affected
Throughout the Years as Water Temperature Rises
Haley Austin, Sophia Barnes, Theodore Cooke, Shayne Lada, Alexandra Scrofani
[email protected] , [email protected]
Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science
Research Proposal
9/22/23
Austin et al. 2
Introduction:
Over the course of the past couple decades, climate change has taken a significant toll on
the environment as well as plant and animal species. Many species have died out due to lack of
habitat, shift in weather patterns, and rise in global temperature. For fish specifically, a rise in
water temperatures across the globe are making it nearly impossible for most species to adapt
and survive (Clemente, 2020). In turn, this affects the oceanic food chain, causing mass
disruption. Global fish populations could be detrimentally impacted (The impact of climate
change, 2023). The proposed study will compare current New Jersey fish populations to past
data, determining if recent warm water has brought more tropical species. According to the
hypothesis, tropical populations as a whole should be greater, especially due to an increase in
water temperature. If this is proven, it will spark more realization in the public that climate
change is having a drastic effect on the environment. They will be able to see the comparison in
current research and the past data collected, which will inspire more people to try and prevent
climate change for the future and for the species that are still surviving today.
Hypothesis:
When the temperature in the ocean rises, species that are native to tropical regions will
appear more frequently in the Barnegat Bay.
Austin et al. 3
Justification:
Climate change is an ever growing issue that necessitates action. The study will help to
justify this action by proving the effects of rising ocean temperatures. Tropical fish use warm
water as their habitat, but as the global water temperatures increase, this habitat is spreading
(Bard 2023). Based on these observations, one could easily conclude that more tropical fish
would be present in current collections as compared to past data. The research that will be
conducted strives to prove the effects of climate change and global warming.
Methodology:
1. Seine using a seine net, two pairs of waders, and a five-gallon bucket in five
different locations and record and count all species found.
2. Compare data to Rutgers University ichthyoplankton records and observe trends.
(Smith et al.)
a. For example, look for variation in species type or quantity
Sites:
This experiment will be conducted at multiple locations:
- Sands Point in Waretown
- Oyster Creek
- Forked River Beach
- Bay Beach in Lanoka Harbor
- Cattus Island in Toms River
Austin et al. 4
Estimated Timeline:
❖ September 2023 - November 2023
➢ September - Early October: Collect, observe, and count species
➢ Late October - Analyze collected species data
➢ November - Compare Rutgers Ichthyoplankton Data to collected data and draw
conclusions
References:
Bard, S. (2023). SDSU: Climate change is impacting the ocean’s top fish predators.
NewsCenter. https://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=79265
Clemente, S. (2020, July 24). How fish are being affected by climate change • The National
Wildlife Federation Blog. The National Wildlife Federation Blog.
https://blog.nwf.org/2020/07/how-fish-are-being-affected-by-climate-change/
Smith et al. (2023). The Distribution and Abundance of Ichthyoplankton in the Middle
Atlantic Bight as Determined from Coastal Surveys and Cite-Specific Surveys. Resource
Display Service. https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/
The impact of climate change on our planet’s animals. IFAW. (2022).
https://www.ifaw.org/journal/impact-climate-change-animals
Warming of the oceans due to climate change will mean fewer productive fish species. NSF.
(n.d.). https://new.nsf.gov/news/warming-oceans-due-climate-change-will-mean-fewer
